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The restrictions were included in their contracts to protect Boro’s players, staff and the club itself, he told Mr Justice Warby.

“There is a real risk that Middlesbrough will lose players to BCFC if it continues to employ each member of the backroom team at the same time as each other and/or Mr Monk,” he added.

“A number of Middlesbrough’s current players, including some of its young players, who are on comparatively low salaries, were recruited or favoured by different members of the backroom team and remain loyal to them.”

Garry Monk & James Beattie (Image: CameraSport)

The quartet also have knowledge of the weaknesses of Boro players which could make it ‘more difficult for Middlesbrough to sell players during the transfer window’.

They also know about the players that Boro intend to sign and the types of players likely to be targeted, said Mr Mill.

“BCFC’s employment of the backroom team is therefore likely to give it ongoing competitive advantage over Middlesbrough,” he added.

Boro want an injunction stopping the quartet from working for Birmingham, and the Blues from employing them, until December 28, as well as damages.

Garry Monk and his Boro backroom team on the bench at Barnsley

With the transfer window opening from May 7 to August 9, and the new season starting that same month, the QC said there should be a full hearing of the dispute as soon as possible.

Without the injunction, ‘Middlesbrough will face irreparable harm that cannot be readily quantified or compensated’, said the QC.